Voting machine



VOTING MACHINE Y 1 2 3 l u T. W MJ/, L' .j w. sIL H .\\11 7 |n.\ Z/ n 7 m 1 3, 4L.. w .M w, l .w .mv L f wnu w v .n A L?, 7 L 1 wm l?. 1mb ii i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VOTING MACHINE Alvin N. Gustavson, Jamestown, N. Y., assignor to Automatic Voting Machine Corporation, Jamestown, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 23, 1940, Serial No. 346,916

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in voting machines and more particularly to a mechanism by which to effect a prescribed manner of balloting.

The invention finds application to a voting machine when it is desired to effect the sequen tial indication of ballots by a voter. In certain districts election laws provide for the recall of a duly elected public ofcial, such recall being based on a previously legally filed petition. In substance the law specifies that at an election for the recall of a public official there shall be provided the names of candidates seeking the position to be vacated if the recall is effective, and that no ballots shall be counted for any of these candidates unless the voter has also indicated his preference on the question of the recall. More specifically, it may be found necessary to call an election for the recall of several officials and at the same time elect several of the candidates seeking to replace the incumbents. In addition to being capable of controlling a recall election, as above indicated, the invention may find application under other election laws, such, for example, as those requiring a voter to indicate first, second, and possibly third choice for candidates seeking election to a given office.

Broadly, the invention is directed to a mechanism that permits balloting for any predetermined number of candidates only after a voter has balloted for one or more other candidates, and this Iconstitutes one of the objects of the invention.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of means for effecting the sequential actuation of straps of an interlocking mechanism.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an interlocking mechanism in which one or more straps may be actuated to permit corresponding actuation of one or more additional straps.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of means by which to automatically set an interlocking mechanism for actuation of a predetermined number of interlocking straps.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of means for automatically releasing the setting of an interlocking mechanism to facilitate return of all actuated straps to inoperative position.

Other and further objects of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specifi-cation taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing; and in which Figure 1 is a rear elevational View of an aux` iliary interlocking mechanism embodying one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the structure of Figure 1 with the near plate of the interlock partly broken away to disclose structural details;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the auxiliary interlock applied to the main interlocking mechanism of a voting machine, being taken substantially as indicated at 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially as indicated at 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View of a part of the interlock showing one position of a controlling interlocking strap;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of the interlock, parts being broken away to show the relationship of a control strap in inoperative position to rollers of the interlock;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the interlock showing a relief plate that sets or releases the interlock, being taken as indicated at 'I'I of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the interlock showing one of the conventional straps in inoperative position;

Figure 9 is a perspective View of one of the control straps;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the relief plate; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a conventional strap.

Reference is now had to the drawing wherein the numeral I0 is employed to generally indicate a portion of a conventional voting machine to which the present invention is applied. The voting machine includes a main interlock II with which straps I2 are engaged. These straps, when actuated, may be returned to non-voting position by means of a reset bar I3. The structure and operation of the interlock II, straps I2, and bar I3 is of the general type illustrated and described in the patents to A. J. Gillespie #995,424 and W. J. Lausteier #1,072,962.

The present invention is embodied in an auxiliary interlock generally designated by the numeral I4. This interlock may be attached to the main interlock II in any conventional manner, but preferably as shown in my co-'pending appli.- cation #203.575, filed November 2, 1939. As may be noted in the drawing, the interlock I4 includes spacedly connected vertical plates I6, adjacent the upper edges of which are inwardly opening grooves I'I in which the ends of suitable rollers UI HHS Uype, One eIlOJIlUSU 1'01181' I! 1S apBI'Uul'CCl to receive a grouping pin 2|, the ends of which project through corresponding openings in the plates of the interlock. At the other end of the interlock the plates I 6 may be grooved to receive and guide the lower end of an upstanding plate 23. That portion of this plate Within the interlock mounts a Wedge 24, the thickness of which determines the number of certain of the straps of the auxiliary interlock that may be actuated, The upper end of this plate is formed with a recess 26 that is suitable for attachment to the reset bar I 3.

The required number of auxiliary straps 21 are attached to corresponding straps I2 and extend into the auxiliary interlock I4. As is conventional with straps of this kind, the lower portion of each is formed with a neck 28 having an enlarged end 29. When the straps are in inoperative position the neck 28 lies between the narrow portions of a pair of abutting rollers I8. Upward movement of the strap 21 displaces the rollers laterally the thickness of the end 29. One or more control straps 3| are provided, being connected with corresponding straps I2. The lower ends 32 of the straps 3| are, in the present disclosure, twice the thickness of straps 21. Each strap also has a neck portion 33, terminating in an end 34. It will be noted in comparing straps 21 and 3| that the neck portions 28 and 33 have such relative position that when both straps are in inoperative position with respect to the voting machine, strap 21 is ineiective to move the rollers and strap 3| has spaced a pair of rollers a distance equal to twice the thickness of strap 21 (see Figures 2 and 4).

To more clearly illustrate the applicability of the invention, it is contemplated that the mechanism is set up for the recall of public oiiicials, such as a governor and lieutenant governor, in accordance with the above stated election law requirements. It may be assumed that the topmost horizontal row of the keyboard of a voting machine will be utilized for this purpose. The two auxiliary straps 3| are connected through their corresponding straps I2 with indicators on the face of the machine, thus enabling a voter to indicate his preference for or against the ofiicials in question. In Figure 2 of the drawing, strap 3| at the extreme right would be for recall, and the other strap 3| against recall. The auxiliary straps 21 represent candidates who, if the officials are recalled, Wish to replace the incumbents in olice. In the present illustration only ve auxiliary straps 21 are shown. However. the break lines of the drawing (Figures 1, 2, and 4) indicate that there is no limit to the number of candidates other than as may be controlled by the election laws or the size of the auxiliary interlock I4.

As is conventional in voting machines to which the present invention is applicable, a voter must operate a curtain closing lever. Operation of this lever also unlocks the machine for voting and the parts of the main and auxiliary interlocks I and I4 are in the position shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4. Grouping pins, conventional to structures of this nature, aie so disposed in the main interlock II as to separate the main straps I2 into controlled and uncontrolled groups. Straps I2, with which are associated auxiliary straps 3|, are the controlled group and only one strap in this group is movable to an operated position, The straps I 2, associated with auxiliary straps 21, are unauxiliary straps zi, are controiied oy me auxiliary interlock I4. It will be noted that straps 3| in this position have spread the rollers I 8 apart a distance equal to four times the thickness of one of straps 21 and that the rollers are not further movable by reason of the location of grouping pin 2| and wedge 24. It is, therefore, impossible for a voter to rst manipulate any of the indicators on the face of the machine that are connected with the straps 21. He must therefore determine his preference for the recal1 by manipulating one or the other of straps 3|. Of course both straps 3| cannot be moved from the position of Figure 2 to Figure 6 by reason of the control of the connected stra-ps I2 by the main interlock I I. When one of the straps 3| has been raised, the neck portion 33 thereof moves into place between the central portion of a pair of the rollers I8. Sufficient space has now been provided to permit raising any two of the straps 21 and causing the ends 29 to adjust the rollers a distance equal to that of the enlarged portion of raised strap 3 I.

Thus, in the set-up described, a voter must first indicate his preference in connection with the recall of the officials and may then indicate his preference for any two of the candidates.

Having complied with the election requirements, the voter may operate the curtain lever which, as is well known, registers the vote, resets the parts and opens the curtains. In resetting the auxiliaiy interlock I 4 the ends 29 of straps 21 start movement from between the rollers at substantially the same time that the wide portion of the actuated strap 3| returns to the space between a pair of rollers, and it is evident that momentary relief of these straps is necessary. Such relief is provided through plate 23. Plate 23, being connected with the reset bar I3, as are straps 21 and 3| through main straps I2, moves downwardly and the wedge 24 assumes the position of Figures 1 and 1. The wedge in the present disclosure, being of the same width as the portion 32 of strap 3|, thus makes possible temporary adjustment of the rollers during return of the actuated straps. It is pointed out that no change in the selection of candidates on the question of recall can be made by a voter at this time, since the resetting mechanism obviously does not function until after the registering operation has taken place. The resetting bar I3, by means of Well known structure, returns to its upper position on the completion of the resetting operation in order that straps I2, 21, and 3| may be actuated by the next voter. Thus plate 23, at the completion of movement of the curtain lever by a voter, again assumes the position of Figure 2.

It is evident that a great variety of election conditions may be met and controlled through the use of this invention in its present or modified form, and it will, therefore, be understood that modifications of the structure herein shown and described are contemplated insofar as they are within the spirit and scope of the hereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what l claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. In a voting machine having straps and a strap resetting bar, a mechanism operably connected with and adapted to control operation of certain of said controlled straps, means in said mechanism operable by at least one uncontrolled strap to release one or more of said controlled straps for operation, and further means in said mechanism connected with and operable by said bar, said further means serving to withdraw control of said mechanisml over said controlled straps during a strap resetting operation.

2. In a voting machine having movable straps and a bar operable to reset said straps, a mechanism connected with and adapted to control operation of said straps, at least one of said straps being uncontrolled by said mechanism to an extent to be operable in one direction to release the control by said mechanism of other of said straps, and means connected with and operable by said bar, said means serving to withdraw control of said mechanism over all of said straps during a resetting operation.

3. In a voting machine having movable straps and a bar operable to reset said straps, a mechanism connected with and adapted to control operation of certain of said straps, at least one other of said straps being in part uncontrolled by said mechanism and operable to adjust said` mechanism to release control of one or more of said certain straps, and disabling means for said mechanism, said disabling means being connected with and operable by said bar to render said mechanism operative to control movement of said certain straps.

4. In a voting machine having movable straps and a bar operably connected with and adapted to move said straps to inoperative position, a mechanism for controlling operation of a predetermined group of said straps, said mechanism comprising releasable control means, auxiliary straps operably connecting said group of straps with said control means, at least one of said auxiliary straps being operable to alter control by said means to the extent of releasing one or more other auxiliary straps for operation, and further means connecting said bar with said control means, Said further means being operable by movement of said bar to withdraw control over said straps by said control means.

5. In a voting machine having movable straps and a bar operably connected with and adapted to move said straps to inoperative position, a mechanism for controlling operation of a predetermined group of said straps, said mechanism comprising an interlock, auxiliary straps in said interlock connected with the straps of said group, certain of said auxiliary straps being controlled by said interlock, means mounted on at least one other of said auxiliary straps, said means, when its mounting strap is operated, being adapted to in part withdraw control by said interlock and thereby release a predetermined number of said` certain auxiliary straps for corresponding operation, and further means operatively connecting said bar with said interlock, said further means being movable to render said interlock ineffective to control movement of said certain auxiliary straps.

6. In a voting machine having straps movable to an operated position and strap restoring means, a mechanism connected with and adapted to control movement of said straps into operated position, means operable by at least one of said straps to release other of said straps for movement into operated position, and further means operably connected with said mechanism, said further means also having connection with and being operable by said strap restoring means to withdraw control of said mechanism over said straps.

ALVIN N. GUSTAVSON.

- CERTIFICATE CE CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,562,266. November 7, 19th.

ALVIN N. CUsTAvsoN.

1t is hereby Certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above nwnbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, seeond Column, line 75 claim l, after the Word "said" strike out "Controlled" and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this Correction therein that the same may Conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 50th day of January, A., D. 1915.

Leslie 'Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

ALVIN N. GUSTAVS ON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 75 claim l, after the Word "said" strike out "controllef'g and that the said Lettera Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Office.

signed and Sealed this 50th day of January, A. D. l9li5.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

